Authorities in Pakistan have reopened roads linking the capital city of Islamabad with the rest of the country after a four-day lockdown. The lockdown was put in place following clashes between security forces and supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Interior Minister confirmed that all roads have been reopened and the demonstrators have been dispersed. The clashes occurred as Khan's supporters marched to Islamabad demanding his release from prison.
The situation escalated when thousands of Khan supporters breached a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and clashed with security forces in a high-security zone. The clashes resulted in at least seven fatalities.
Tension had been building in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former prime minister began a 'long march' from the northwest to demand his release. Khan has been in prison for over a year and is facing more than 150 criminal cases that his party claims are politically motivated.
Following the clashes, hundreds of demonstrators were arrested, and Khan's wife, along with leaders of his party, fled to Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where the party holds power.
Khan, a prominent opposition figure, was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament.